Method and system for providing a photo album to a user of a digital imaging device

ABSTRACT

A method and system for providing a user with an album including a plurality of pages is disclosed. The method and system include allowing a user to purchase at least a portion of the album and allowing the user to set a plurality of defaults for the plurality of pages. The at least the portion of the album includes a portion of the plurality of pages. At least one default of the plurality of plurality of defaults is capable of being altered using information provided by the user. The method and system also include receiving from the user the information, if any, and receiving a plurality of images captured using a digital imaging device. The method and system also include altering the at least one default if the user has provided the information. The method and system also include providing a portion of the plurality of pages using the plurality of defaults and allowing the user access to the portion of the album.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention relates to co-pending U.S. patent application Ser.No. 09/514,230 entitled “AUTOMATICALLY STORING AND PRESENTING DIGITALIMAGES USING A SPEECH-BASED COMMAND LANGUAGE” filed on Feb. 28, 2000 andassigned to the assignee of the present application.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to digital images, and more particularlyto a method and system for providing a user of a digital imaging devicea photo album of images captures.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Digital photography has become increasingly prevalent. As users ofdigital imaging devices, such as digital cameras, continue to capturedigital images, a means for archiving and viewing digital images becomesmore important. Currently, conventional digital imaging devices canupload images to a computer system, such as a personal computer (PC).The user can then edit, view, and archive the images on the PC. The usercan also organize the images into categories, for example usingconventional software, such as PhotoSee Pro by ACD systems. If the imageincludes sound, some applications allow the user to hear the soundassociated with the image using the sound system of the PC. In additionto archiving the image on the PC, a user can employ the PC to connect toa server via the Internet. The user can then archive the images on theserver and print images, if desired.

The user can print the archived images from the PC or from the server.In addition to printing the image, techniques for allowing a user tohear sound associated with the image are also available. For example, aprinted stripe can be provided along with the image. The printed stripecan be read using a device, such as a “ScanTalk” device manufactured byOlympus Optical Co., Ltd, of Japan. The ScanTalk device reads theprinted stripe and plays the sound associated with the stripe. Thus, auser is able to view the image and hear the sound associated with theimage.

A user often desires to organize printed images into photo albums forease of viewing. Typically, this requires organizing the images afterprinting, mounting the individual images in the desired format on eachalbum page and providing desired caption. Thus, a significant investmentof time and effort is required from a user. This investment isparticularly burdensome if a user has a large number of images desiredto be placed in photo album or if the user wishes to categorize theimages in the album in a particular fashion. For example, a user maywish to keep images of family members or certain events, such asvacations or children's sporting events, in separate photo albums orseparate sections of a photo album. The user may also desire that imageswithin a particular photo album be ordered in a certain way, for examplein the order the images were captured or by subject. The user may alsodesire to have images of different sizes and orientations in the photoalbum, further complicating the organization of the images. Thus, inorder to obtain a photo album containing the desired images, the usermay be required to invest a significant amount of time and effort.

Conventional film cameras do have a method for facilitating productionof photo albums. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,940,121 discloses a filmcamera that uses a film cartridge having a magnetic stripe. The user isallowed to indicate on the magnetic strip whether the user desires thecorresponding film image to be part of an album, the general layout forpages within the photo album and a brief text annotation. When a usersends the film cartridge to a developer, the developer can print theselected images in the selected layout on pages having in an album-likeformat.

Although photo albums can be provided from the conventional film cameradiscussed above, there are still drawbacks to providing photo albums inthis manner. Users of digital imaging devices cannot utilize theservices of the developer to provide a photo album. Furthermore, theformats, captions, layouts and other aspects of the photo album pagesmay be limited. In addition, the user must make the selections on themagnetic strip of the film and is limited to the selected images on thefilm cartridge.

Accordingly, what is needed is an improved system and method forallowing a user to archive and view digital images. The presentinvention addresses such a need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a method and system for providing a userwith an album including a plurality of pages. The method and systemcomprise allowing a user to purchase at least a portion of the album.The portion of the album includes a portion of the plurality of pages.The method and system also comprise allowing the user to set a pluralityof defaults for the plurality of pages. At least one of the defaults iscapable of being altered using information provided by the user. Themethod and system also comprise receiving from the user the information,if any, and receiving a plurality of images captured using a digitalimaging device. The method and system also comprise altering at leastone of the defaults if the user has provided the information. The methodand system also comprise providing a portion of the plurality of pagesusing the plurality of defaults and allowing the user access to theportion of the album.

According to the system and method disclosed herein, the presentinvention provides a means to easily and rapidly archive images in acustomized fashion, particularly for providing a photo album or a webalbum.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a high-level flow chart depicting one embodiment of a methodfor allowing a user to purchase an album in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a more detailed flow chart of one embodiment of a method forutilizing defaults in accordance with the present invention.

FIGS. 3A and 3B depict a more detailed flow chart of one embodiment of amethod for providing images in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a high-level block diagram of one embodiment of a system forallowing a user to purchase an album in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 5A is a diagram of one embodiment of a pair of pages of an album inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5B is a diagram of another embodiment of a pair of pages of analbum in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6A is a diagram of one embodiment of a background for a page of analbum in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6B is a diagram of one embodiment of a background for a page of analbum in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of one embodiment of a table of contents for analbum in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram of one embodiment of a system for displaying a pageof a web album in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an improvement in archiving of imageswhich may be captured using a digital imaging device. The followingdescription is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art tomake and use the invention and is provided in the context of a patentapplication and its requirements. Various modifications to the preferredembodiment will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and thegeneric principles herein may be applied to other embodiments. Thus, thepresent invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiment shown,but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principlesand features described herein.

The present invention provides a method and system for providing a userwith an album including a plurality of pages. The method and systemcomprise allowing a user to purchase at least a portion of the album.The portion of the album includes a portion of the plurality of pages.The method and system also comprise allowing the user to set a pluralityof defaults for the plurality of pages. At least one of the defaults iscapable of being altered using information provided by the user. Themethod and system also comprise receiving from the user the information,if any, and receiving a plurality of images captured using a digitalimaging device. The method and system also comprise altering at leastone of the defaults if the user has provided the information. The methodand system also comprise providing a portion of the plurality of pagesusing the plurality of defaults and allowing the user access to theportion of the album.

The present invention will be described in terms of a particular systemand a particular method having certain steps. However, one of ordinaryskill in the art will readily recognize that this method and system willoperate effectively for other systems and other methods consistent withthe present invention. Furthermore, the present invention is describedin the context of images captured using a digital imaging device.However, one of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the presentinvention will operate effectively for digital images which were notoriginally captured using a digital imaging device.

To more particularly illustrate the method and system in accordance withthe present invention, refer now to FIG. 1, depicting one embodiment ofa method for providing a user with an album in accordance with thepresent invention. A user is allowed to purchase an album, or a portionof an album, via step 102. Preferably, step 102 is performed prior tothe user capturing images or providing captured images for placement inthe album. For example, when a user purchases a digital imaging device,the user may be given a phone number or website to contact. The user canthen inform the server, individual or other representative of theprovider of the album of the user's desire to purchase an album.Preferably, the server also provides a credit card number or otheraccount to pay for at least a part of the album. In another embodiment,some other form of payment, particularly prepayment, may be arranged. Inone embodiment, however, the album or a portion of the album may befree, which allows the user to “purchase” the free portion album merelyby requesting the album. In another embodiment, a user could purchasethe album merely by purchasing storage for the album, for example whenthe album is a web album. The album or portion of the album purchased instep 102 could be a printed photo album, a web album that the useraccesses via a website, a CD-ROM or some combination thereof.

The user is then allowed to select defaults for the album, via step 104.The defaults are preferably set once for the entire album. Thus, oncethe user has set the defaults, the album will automatically beconfigured using the defaults. Thus, the user need not set the samedefault for each page or each image. For example, if in step 104 theuser sets as a default to have each page in the album contain fourimages, then the pages will be provided using this default. In oneembodiment, the user need not be able to set all defaults which areavailable for the album. In such an embodiment, the use would be capableof setting some portion of the defaults. The remaining portion of thedefaults would preferably be automatically used.

Preferably, step 104 includes allowing the to user enter the selectionsfor the defaults directly onto a server via a website. However, step 104could include receiving information relating to the defaults via a phonecall or other mechanism, and providing the information to a server orother system which archives the defaults. For example, when purchasing adigital imaging device, the user could be provided with a bookletincluding some of the defaults. The defaults could include a variety ofaspects of the album. For example, the defaults possible to select couldinclude a background color or image and style for pages within thealbum, whether the page numbers should be printed on the album, adefault way of categorizing images, whether the maker of the album hasflexibility in honoring the defaults, whether the user wishes the imagesto undergo further analysis and image processing to improve imagequality, whether to print certain selected camera settings with theimage and whether to print a table of contents for an album. As aresult, the user could simply and quickly pre-format the album as wellas the images within the album.

Images are received, via step 106. In a preferred embodiment, the imagesare received by a server directly from a digital imaging device such asa digital camera. However, it is possible to receive the image fromanother mechanism, such as a PC. In addition, in an alternateembodiment, the user could provide printed images which are to bescanned in. Also in a preferred embodiment, additional information maybe received in step 106. The optional additional information indicateswhether some or all of the defaults should be overridden for one or moreof the images. For example, the user may have selected as a default notto have additional image processing performed on the images. However, auser may desire to have additional image processing performed on aparticular image or images. The additional information would indicatethat the default relating to image processing is to be overridden forthese images and image processing provided for these images. Similarly,a user may have set a default indicating that the provider of the albumcould not deviate from a set default layout, such as four images perpage. A user may wish to have a particular image occupy an entire page.Thus, for this image, this particular default would be overridden,allowing the desired image to substantially fill a page. In oneembodiment, an images file stores the additional information relating tothat image. Thus, the user would have previously indicated whethercertain defaults should be overridden for particular images and thisinformation stored in the files for the particular images. Also in apreferred embodiment, the additional information is stored in the tagsof the image file for the corresponding image. Thus, the additionalinformation is automatically received when the image file is received.However, in an alternate embodiment, the user can provide thisinformation separately from the images. In such a case, the additionalinformation should also indicate to which images the informationapplies. Furthermore, more images than are desired to be placed in thealbum could be received. In this case, the additional information wouldinclude an indication of which images are desired to be placed in thealbum. The additional information could also include data, such assound, caption or category information. However, in a preferredembodiment, this type of data is provided along with the image.

The pages including the images are then provided using the defaults,some of which may have been altered by the additional information, viastep 108. Thus, step 108 can include screening unwanted images, if any,as well as performing any image processing and layout for the album. Inaddition, step 108 includes providing any other processing which may berequired to provide the pages and images. For example, images capturedby digital imaging devices may include sound. Step 108 could theninclude processing the sound and ensuring that some mechanism forallowing the user to hear the sound is available. If the image is to bepart of a printed photo album, then step 108 could include convertingthe sound to a format to be printed on the corresponding page of thephoto album. When the page is printed, then a stripe could be printedonto the page and read with a ScanTalk or other device which converts aprinted stripe to sound. Alternatively, step 108 could includeconverting the sound to a format to be downloaded to a semiconductordevice or other device to be embedded in the page of the photo album,allowing the user to hear the sound when the semiconductor device isactivated. Similarly, if the images are to be categorized, step 108would include determining the categories of the images to becategorized, saving the categorization information in the appropriateformat and organizing the images based on their category. Furthermore,if the categories are provided using speech, step 108 would includeanalyzing the speech indicating the categories, determining thecategories based on the analyzed speech, converting the categoryinformation to text and saving the text category information, preferablyas a tag in the image file. One such mechanism for categorizing imagesis described in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 095/4230(P192/1586P) entitled “AUTOMATICALLY STORING AND PRESENTING DIGITALIMAGES USING A SPEECH-BASED COMMAND LANGUAGE” filed on Feb. 28, 2000 andassigned to the assignee of the present application. Applicants herebyincorporate by reference the above-mentioned co-pending patentapplication. In addition, if there are multiple images in the category,step 108 could include organizing images by sub-category, based on whenthe image was captured, or some mechanism that may be selected by theuser. Similarly, the user could provide captions for one or more of theimages. Preferably, the information relating to a caption is provided inthe file for the corresponding image. However, the captions can beprovided separately from the image. Moreover, in one embodiment, thecaption may be provided via speech recorded by the user. For example, auser could record a caption in a caption field using ability of adigital imaging device to record sound. Step 108 could then includeanalyzing the speech in the caption field, converting the speech to atext caption for the image and saving the text caption, preferably in atag in the image. In an alternate embodiment, the user could input atext caption either through the use of the interface for the digitalimaging device or directly to the server. Thus, step 108 includesproviding processing required for the images and the pages in which theimages will be placed.

The user is then allowed access to the images, via step 110. In oneembodiment, where a printed photo album is to be provided to the user,step 110 includes printing the pages and sending the pages to the user,for example through the mail. For a printed photo album, step 110 wouldalso include providing the user with some mechanism for hearing anyassociated sound. For example, if the sound was provided as a printedstripe, then step 110 may include providing a device to read and playthe printed stripe. Similarly, if sound was provided on a semiconductordevice, then step 110 would include providing the semiconductor devicewith the pages, preferably embedded in the corresponding page as well asproviding the user with a device, such as an amplifier, speakers and apower source, for the user to hear the sound. When the album is a webalbum, step 110 could include allowing a user to access the web album onthe appropriate website. In yet another embodiment, the album could bedownloaded to another medium, such as a CD-ROM. Step 110 may theninclude providing the CD-ROM containing the album to the user.Similarly, step 110 could include downloading the album to the user'sPC. Thus, the user is provided with an album that is customizedaccording to the user's preferences, as expressed in the defaults andadditional information, while requiring little effort from the user.

FIG. 2 depicts a flow chart of one embodiment of a method 120 fordetermining how images are to be provided in accordance with the presentinvention. Thus, the method 120 may be used in performing a portion ofthe step 108 of the method 100 depicted in FIG. 1. Referring back toFIG. 2, an image is received, via step 122. It is then determinedwhether the defaults have been altered for that image, via step 124. Inone embodiment, step 124 is performed by reading the image file anddetermining if the image file includes tags containing additionalinformation that alters one or more of the selected defaults. If it isdetermined that none of the defaults is to be altered, then the image isprocessed and the pages provided using the selected defaults, via step126. If, however, it is determined that one or more of the defaults isto be altered, then the additional information provided is used to alterthese defaults for that image, via step 128. The image is processed andthe pages provided using the defaults, one or more of which may havebeen altered, via step 130. In a preferred embodiment steps 126 and 130include performing any image processing, voice analysis, and conversionof speech to text as well as setting the desired position of the imagein the album. After the image is processed using step 126 or 130, it isdetermined if there are more images to be processed, via step 132. Ifso, then another image is retrieved for processing, via step 134, andstep 124 is returned to. However, if no images remain to be processed,then the method 120 terminates. Thus, using the method 120, the imagecan be processed as desired. Thus, the pages of the album can beprovided as desired by the user.

FIGS. 3A and 3B depict a more detailed flow chart of one embodiment amethod 140 for providing the pages in accordance with the presentinvention. Thus, the method 140 can be utilized in the step 108 of themethod 100 depicted in FIG. 1. Referring back to FIGS. 3A and 3B, it isdetermined whether an image is to be included in the album, via step142. If not, then the image may be discarded, via step 144. In analternate embodiment, the image that is not to be included in the albummay go through more of the steps of the method 140, but simply notincluded in the album. If it is determined that the image is to be partof the album, then it is determined in whether the image should undergoadditional image processing, via step 146. Step 146 could includedetermining whether the defaults or additional information indicate thatthe image should undergo image processing. If additional processing iscalled for, then the image may be analyzed and processed, via step 148.Thus, image quality may be enhanced. If not additional processing isdesired, then step 148 is skipped.

It is determined whether the image has been annotated with sound desiredto be played when an individual views the image, via step 150.Preferably, step 150 includes determining whether sound has been storedin the image file and determining whether the user has chosen to hearthe sound in the album. However, step 150 could include accessing otherinformation relating to the image. If the image does include sound, thenthe sound may be processed, via step 152. For example, if the image isto be printed, then step 152 may include converting the sound data to aformat that can be printed onto the corresponding page and read using aScanTalk or other device. Similarly, step 152 could include providingthe sound in a format that is downloadable to a semiconductor device tobe embedded in the corresponding page. For a web album or CD-ROM, step152 could include ensuring that the sound is in a format which can beaccessed by the user via the website or software for playing the CD-ROM.If, however, the image is not annotated with sound, then step 152 isskipped.

It is determined whether the image has a corresponding caption, via step154. Preferably step 154 is performed by determining whether a text orvoice caption field in the image file includes a caption. However, step154 could include accessing other information relating to the image. Ifthe image has a caption, then it is determined whether the caption is intext, via step 156. If the caption is not already in a text format, thenthe caption is converted to text, via step 158. If the caption was voicerecorded, then step 158 could include applying voice recognitionsoftware to the recorded caption and translating the recorded captioninto text. If the caption was already in a text format, then step 158may be skipped. The text caption is provided with the image, eitherafter conversion or from the caption stored as text, via step 160.Preferably, step 160 includes storing the caption, as translated fromspeech to text, in a tag for the image. Step 160 may also includeremoving the speech caption in order to reduce the size of the imagefile.

It is determined whether the image has a corresponding category orcategories, via step 162. Preferably step 162 includes determining thecategory from the image file. However, step 162 could include accessingother information relating to the image. In addition, if the category isprovided via speech, step 162 could include applying voice recognitionsoftware to the recorded category. If the image includes one or morecategories, then the image is placed within the appropriate category orcategories, via step 164. Step 164 also preferably includes ordering theimages in the category, for example by time, subject, subcategory, orcombination thereof. Preferably, step 164 also includes storing thecategory, as translated from speech to text, in a tag for the image.Step 164 may also include removing the speech category in order toreduce the size of the image file.

The image and any corresponding information, such as sound or captions,may then be archived and/or printed, via step 166: For a printed album,step 166 may include temporarily archiving the image, then printing theimage on the appropriate page using the defaults and any additionalinformation. In such a case, step 166 may also include printing acaption and any printed stripe for sound or providing another mechanismfor hearing sound associated with the image. A device for playing thesound may also be provided for the user. Step 166 would also includeprinting the image on the page using the desired layout and other pagecharacteristics specified by the user. For a web album, step 166 mayinclude archiving the image so that the image can be viewed from awebsite in the desired format. Also for a web album, step 166 wouldinclude archiving the sound corresponding to the image so that a usermay play the sound when viewing the image. For a CD-ROM, step 166 mayinclude archiving the image, any associated sound and caption and otherinformation corresponding to the image in a manner that facilitatestransfer to a CD-ROM. Thus, the image can be provided in an album havingthe desired format at minimum effort for the user. The method 140 canalso be repeated for each image received from the user.

FIG. 4 depicts one embodiment of a system 200 in accordance with thepresent invention for providing a user with an album. Also depicted is adigital imaging device 202 coupled with the system 200. The system 200is preferably a website which the user can connect to via the Internetusing the digital imaging device 202 or a PC. The system 200 includes aserver 210. The server can include imaging processing software 212,voice recognition software 214, sound software 216 and categorizationsoftware 218. In addition, the server 210 may include software forinterfacing with the digital imaging device 202 or with another computersystem (not shown) as well as other software. Thus, the server 210preferably performs most of the steps for the methods 100, 120 and 140.The server 210 therefore, preferably controls most user interactions,receiving and processing of images, printing of pages for the album anda website through which the user can view a web album. However, in analternate embodiment, multiple servers and multiple websites could beused for different aspects of the present invention. For example, onewebsite, structured similarly to the system 200, could control theinteraction with the users for purchasing the album and selectingdefaults for the album. This information would be shared with anotherwebsite, also structured similarly to the system 200, which receivesimages and controls providing the album.

Coupled to the server 210 are databases 204 and 208. The database 204may be used to archive images and associated sound, text, defaults, andother information selected by the user. Thus, the database 204 isdepicted as included images 203 and user-provided data 205. The database208 may be used for archiving the defaults 207 and other informationwhich the user can select from. For example, the database 208 mayinclude different page backgrounds and formats, different page colorsand other information. Also coupled to the server is one or moreprinter(s) 206. The printer(s) 206 are used for printing the pages for aphoto album. Thus, the printer(s) 206 are preferably capable of printingcolor images, text, stripes to be used to read sound or other aspects ofthe pages for the photo album that are to be printed. A mechanism 209for writing to a CD-ROM is also coupled to the server 210. The mechanism209 allows the system 200 to provide a CD-ROM including images, theimages and sound, or the entire album to the user. In addition, in oneembodiment, the system 200 can download the album to the user's computer(not shown).

Also depicted in FIG. 4 is a printed photo album 220, which includespages printed by the printer, a cover, and any mechanism used forallowing a user to hear sound. For example, the photo album preferablyincludes either a device for playing the printed sound, such as aScanTalk device or a semiconductor device including the sound. Thus, thesystem 200 is capable of providing a user with an album, such as aprinted photo album, a web album or both. The system 200 can alsoprovide a CD-ROM.

FIGS. 5A–5B depict two embodiments of pages in printed photo albums.FIG. 5A depicts pages 252 and 254 for the printed photo album 250. Thepages 252 and 254 have different layouts. In particular, page 252includes images 256, 262 and 268, while page 254 includes images 272,276, 282 and 286. Thus, a default layout for the page 252, the page 254,or both may have been overridden or altered slightly to accommodate theimages 256, 262, 268, 272, 276, 282 and 286. Also depicted are captions258, 264, 270, 278, 282 and 288 for images 256, 262, 268, 276, 282 and286, respectively. In addition, FIG. 5A depicts printed stripes 260,266, 274, 284 and 290 for images 256, 262, 272, 280 and 286,respectively. The printed stripes 260, 266, 274 and 290 are for allowinga user to hear the sound associated with the images 256, 262, 272, 280and 286, respectively. Also provided with the album 250 is a device 242for reading and playing the sound from the printed stripes 260, 266, 274and 290.

FIG. 5B depicts another embodiment of pages 252′ and 254′ for a printedphoto album 250′. The album 250′ includes images 256′, 262′, 268′, 272′,276′, 280′ and 286′. Captions 258′, 264′, 270′, 276′, 282′ and 290′ forimages 256′, 262′, 268′, 276′, 280′ and 286′, respectively. Alsoincluded are semiconductor devices 294 and 296 for pages 252′ and 254′,respectively. The semiconductor device 294 provides sound associatedwith images on the page 252′, while the semiconductor device 296provides sound associated with images on page 254′. The semiconductordevices 294 and 296 may be activated by the user, for example by theuser pressing on the semiconductor device 294 and 296. In anotherembodiment, the semiconductor device 294 and 296 may be automaticallyactivated, for example when the user turns to the corresponding page. Aspeaker, amplifier and power source, such as batteries, may also beincluded with the album or with an external device to allow the user tohear the sound stored on the semiconductor devices 294 and 296 when thesemiconductor devices 294 and 296 are activated.

FIGS. 6A and 6B depict two embodiments of default layouts which the usermay select for the album. FIG. 6A depicts a layout 300 for a page inwhich a single image is provided per page. The image is to be providedin the space 302. The layout 300 may be selected in a variety of colors.The background for the layout 300 could also include a variety of imagesor textures. In addition, the layout 300 includes a printed backgroundincluding items such as the outer border 304 and the inner border 306.FIG. 6B depicts a layout 310. The layout 310 includes oval shaped spaces312, 314, 316 and 318 for the images. Thus, the default for the layout310 includes four images. In addition, items 320, 322 and 324 aredepicted. In one embodiment, the items 320, 322 and 324 are selected bythe user to customize the look of the layout 310, for example forvacation photos. However, in one embodiment other items (not shown) maybe selected.

FIG. 7 depicts one embodiment of a table of contents 330. The table ofcontents 330 includes descriptions 332, 334 and 336 for three sectionsof the corresponding album. In one embodiment, the sectionscorresponding to the descriptions 332, 334 and 336 may be based oncategories for the images, may be based on when the user provided theimages or another factor. Also depicted are thumbnails 333, 335 and 337,which display one or more images in the corresponding sections of thealbum. The table of contents 330 can be provided based on a default setby the user or based on another user request. For a web album, the tableof contents 330 could also provide the user with high-level access intosections of the web album. For example, each description 332, 334 and336 for a section or thumbnails 333, 335 and 337 could link directly toa particular image in the corresponding section of the web album. Forexample, the thumbnail 333 and/or the description 332 could provide alink to the first image in the corresponding section.

FIG. 8 depicts one embodiment of a portion page 344 of a web album.Depicted in FIG. 8 is a computer 340 having a display 342, which theuser can utilize to view the web album. The computer 340 is coupled withthe system 200, previously depicted in FIG. 4. Using a website providedby the system 200, the page 344, as well as other pages (not shown) ofthe web album can be shown to the user. The page 344 includes images 346and 350. In one embodiment, the default for the web album may be toinclude two images per page. In another embodiment, the defaults mayhave been altered to allow two images as shown. Also depicted is acaption 348 corresponding to the image 346. In addition, a button 352 isprovided to allow the user to hear sound associated with one or more ofthe images 346 and 350. Also depicted are a forward button 356 and aback button 354, to allow the user to view other pages of the web album.Furthermore, a table of contents button (not shown) may be provided toallow a user to return directly to the table of contents. Thus, a useris allowed to view the images in different pages of the web album.Furthermore, as discussed above, the pages for the web album, as well asthe pages for the printed photo album and CD-ROM, can be customizedusing defaults and allowing the user to override defaults.

Thus, using the method 100, 120 and 140 and the system 200 the user canrapidly and easily customize an album. Thus, the user can be providedwith an album having the desired images, the desired image processing,and the desired look to the album without burdening the user. Instead,the user may be able to prepurchase portions of the album and set thedesired look of the album relatively quickly and easily.

A method and system has been disclosed for providing an album to a user.Software written according to the present invention is to be stored insome form of computer-readable medium, such as memory, CD-ROM ortransmitted over a network, and executed by a processor. Although thepresent invention has been described in accordance with the embodimentsshown, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize thatthere could be variations to the embodiments and those variations wouldbe within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly,many modifications may be made by one of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

1. A method for providing a user with an album including a plurality ofpages, the method comprising the steps of: (a) allowing a user topurchase at least a portion of the album, the portion of the albumincluding a portion of the plurality of pages; (b) allowing the user toset a plurality of defaults for the plurality of pages, at least onedefault of the plurality of defaults capable of being altered usinginformation provided by the user; (c) receiving from the user theinformation, if any, and a plurality of images captured using a digitalimaging device, wherein the information receiving step (c) furtherincludes the step of: (c1) receiving a tag stored in at least one imagefile for a first portion of the plurality of images, the tag foraltering the at least one default of the plurality of defaults for thefirst portion of the plurality of images, wherein the tag received inthe image file in step (c1) is received in a communication that isseparate from the user setting the plurality of defaults in step (b) andthat initially provides the first portion of the plurality of images;(d) altering the at least one default if the user has provided theinformation; (e) providing the portion of the plurality of pages usingthe plurality of defaults; and (f) allowing the user access to the atleast the portion of the album.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein thepurchasing step (a) can occur prior to receiving the plurality of imagesfrom the user.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the purchasing step (a)can occur prior to the plurality of images being captured.
 4. The methodof claim 1 wherein the receiving step (c) further includes the step of:(c2) receiving from the user the information, if any, and the pluralityof images directly from the digital imaging device.
 5. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the album is a printed photo album and wherein theaccess allowing step (f) further includes the step of: (f1) providingthe portion of the plurality of pages to the user.
 6. The method ofclaim 5 wherein a second portion of the plurality of images includesound and wherein the step of providing the portion of the plurality ofpages further includes the steps of: (e1) printing the portion of theplurality of pages; and (e2) providing a mechanism for a user to hearthe sound for the second portion of the plurality of images.
 7. Themethod of claim 6 wherein the mechanism providing step (e2) furtherincludes the step of: (e2i) providing a user playable device within asecond portion of the portion of the plurality of pages, the secondportion of the plurality of pages including the portion of the pluralityof images including sound.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein each imageof a portion of the plurality of images includes a caption and whereinthe providing step (e) further includes the step of: (e1) providing thecaption for each of the portion of the plurality of images.
 9. Themethod of claim 8 wherein the caption for each of the portion of theplurality of images is a user-recorded caption and wherein captionproviding step (e1) further includes the step of: (e1i) reading theuser-recorded caption for each of the portion of the plurality ofimages; (e1ii) converting the user-recorded caption for each of theportion of the plurality of images to a text caption; and (e1iii)printing the text caption for each of the portion of the plurality ofimages.
 10. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one defaultincludes a page layout.
 11. The method of claim 1 wherein the at leastone default includes a page style.
 12. The method of claim 1 whereineach image of a portion of the plurality of images includes a categoryand wherein the at least one default includes a photo album organizationbased on the category of each image of the portion of the plurality ofimage.
 13. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one defaultincludes selecting image analysis for the plurality of images.
 14. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the purchase step (a) further includes thestep of: (a1) allowing the user to purchase the at least the pluralityof pages from a remote location.
 15. The method of claim 1 wherein theat least one default selecting step (b) further includes the step of:(b2) allowing the user to select the at least one default from a remotelocation.
 16. The method of claim 1 wherein a portion of the pluralityof images include sound and wherein the step of providing the portion ofthe plurality of pages (e) further includes the steps of: (e1) archivingthe portion of the plurality of pages; and (e2) providing a mechanismfor a user to hear the sound for the portion of the plurality of images.17. The method of claim 16 wherein each image of a portion of theplurality of images includes a caption and wherein the archiving step(e1) further includes the step of: (e1i) providing the caption for eachof the portion of the plurality of images.
 18. The method of claim 17wherein the caption for each of the portion of the plurality of imagesis a user-recorded caption and wherein caption providing step (e1i)further includes the step of: (e1ia) reading the user-recorded captionfor each of the portion of the plurality of images; (e1ib) convertingthe user-recorded caption for each of the portion of the plurality ofimages to a text caption; and (e1iic) printing the text caption for eachof the portion of the plurality of images.
 19. A method for providing auser with an album including a plurality of pages, the album being aprinted photo album, the method comprising the steps of: (a) allowing auser to purchase at least a portion of the album, the portion of thealbum including a portion of the plurality of pages; (b) allowing theuser to set a plurality of defaults for the plurality of pages, at leastone default of the plurality of defaults capable of being altered usinginformation provided by the user; (c) receiving from the user theinformation, if any, and a plurality of images captured using a digitalimaging device, wherein a portion of the plurality of images includesound, wherein the information receiving step (c) further includes thestep of: (c1) receiving a tag stored in the at least one image file fora first portion of the plurality of images, the tag for altering the atleast one default of the plurality of defaults for the first portion ofthe plurality of images, the tag received in the image file in step (c1)is received in a communication that is separate from the user settingthe plurality of defaults in step (b) and that initially provides thefirst portion of the plurality of images; (d) altering the at least onedefault if the user has provided the information; (e) providing theportion of the plurality of pages using the plurality of defaults, theportion of the plurality of pages providing step (e) further includingthe steps of (e1) printing the portion of the plurality of pages; and(e2) providing a mechanism for a user to hear the sound for the portionof the plurality of images wherein the mechanism includes a printedstripe playable by a scanning device and wherein the providing step (e1)further includes the step of: (e1i) providing the scanning device to theuser; and (f) allowing the user access to the at least the portion ofthe album by providing the portion of the plurality of pages to theuser.
 20. A system for providing a user with an album including aplurality of pages, the system comprising: at least one storagesubsystem for storing an identity of a user who has purchased at least aportion of the album and a plurality of defaults for the plurality ofpages, a portion of the plurality of defaults capable of being set bythe user, at least one default of the plurality of defaults capable ofbeing altered using information provided by the user; and a server forreceiving a plurality of images captured by a digital camera andprovided by the user, the server also for receiving information providedby the user, if any, altering the at least one default if the user hasprovided the information, the server for providing the portion of theplurality of pages using the plurality of defaults; wherein theinformation includes a tag stored in at least one image file for a firstportion of the plurality of images, the tag for altering the at leastone default for the first portion of the plurality of images; andwherein the server receives the tag stored in the at least one imagefile from the user in a communication that is separate from receivingthe plurality of defaults and that initially provides the first portionof the plurality of images to the server.
 21. The system of claim 20wherein the user can purchase the portion of the plurality of pagesprior to the server receiving the plurality of images.
 22. The system ofclaim 20 wherein the user can purchase the portion of the plurality ofpages prior to the plurality of images being captured.
 23. The system ofclaim 20 wherein the server receives from the user the information, ifany, and the plurality of images directly from the digital imagingdevice.
 24. The system of claim 20 wherein the album is a printed albumand wherein the system further includes: a printing means for printingthe portion of the plurality of pages.
 25. The system of claim 24wherein a second portion of the plurality of images include sound andthe system further provides a mechanism for a user to hear the sound forthe portion of the plurality of images.
 26. The system of claim 24wherein each image of a portion of the plurality of images includes acaption and wherein the printing means further provide the caption foreach of the portion of the plurality of images.
 27. The system of claim26 wherein the caption for each of the portion of the plurality ofimages is a user-recorded caption and wherein server further reads theuser-recorded caption for each of the portion of the plurality of imagesand converts the user-recorded caption for each of the portion of theplurality of images to a text caption.
 28. The system of claim 20wherein the at least one default includes a page layout.
 29. The systemof claim 20 wherein the at least one default includes a page style. 30.The system of claim 20 wherein each image of a portion of the pluralityof images includes a category, and wherein the at least one defaultincludes an album organization based on the category of each image ofthe portion of the plurality of image and wherein the server furthercategorizes the portion of the plurality of images.
 31. The system ofclaim 20 wherein the server is further capable of providing imageanalysis.
 32. The system of claim 31 wherein the at least one defaultincludes selecting image analysis for the plurality of images.
 33. Thesystem of claim 20 wherein the album is a web album and the systemfurther includes: a database for archiving the plurality of images inthe portion of the plurality of pages.
 34. The system of claim 33wherein a portion of the plurality of images include sound and whereinthe server further provides a mechanism for a user to hear the sound forthe portion of the plurality of images.
 35. The system of claim 34wherein each image of a portion of the plurality of images includes acaption and wherein the database further archives the caption for eachof the portion of the plurality of images.
 36. The system of claim 35wherein the caption for each of the portion of the plurality of imagesis a user-recorded caption and the server further reads theuser-recorded caption for each of the portion of the plurality of imagesand converts the user-recorded caption for each of the portion of theplurality of images to a text caption.
 37. A system for providing a userwith an album including a plurality of pages, the album being a printedalbum, the system comprising: at least one storage subsystem for storingan identity of a user who has purchased at least a portion of the albumand a plurality of defaults for the plurality of pages, a portion of theplurality of defaults capable of being set by the user, at least onedefault of the plurality of defaults capable of being altered usinginformation provided by the user; a server for receiving a plurality ofimages captured by a digital camera and provided by the user, the serveralso for receiving information provided by the user, if any, alteringthe at least one default if the user has provided the information, theserver for providing the portion of the plurality of pages using theplurality of defaults; a printing means for printing the portion of theplurality of pages; wherein the information altering the at least onedefault is received from the user in an image file a communication thatis separate from the plurality of defaults being set and that initiallyprovides the first portion of the plurality of images to the server;wherein the a portion of the plurality of images include sound and thesystem further provides a mechanism for a user to hear the sound for theportion of the plurality of images; and wherein the printing meansfurther prints a stripe playable by a scanning device and wherein thescanning device is provided to the user.
 38. A method for providing auser with an album including a plurality of pages, the method comprisingthe steps of: (a) allowing a user to purchase at least a portion of thealbum, the portion of the album including a portion of the plurality ofpages; (b) allowing the user to set a plurality of defaults for theplurality of pages in a first session; (c) receiving from the user theinformation, if any, and a plurality of images captured using a digitalimaging device, wherein the information is capable of altering at leastone default of the plurality of defaults for a first portion of theplurality of images, the information and the plurality of images beingreceived from the user in an image file in a second session that isseparate from the first session in which the user is allowed to set theplurality of defaults and that initially provides the first portion ofthe plurality of images; (d) altering the at least one default if theuser has provided the information; (e) providing the portion of theplurality of pages using the plurality of defaults.